Huizhou is a corner where one can travel to Chengkan and live without obstacles
Chengkan, originally named Longxi, was established during the Eastern Han and Three Kingdoms period, and has a history of over 1800 years. It was praised by the famous Neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Xi during the Song Dynasty as 'Chengkan, the village of double excellence, the number one village in the south of the Yangtze River.' It now has twenty-one national key cultural relics under protection and is known as the 'Hometown of National Treasures.'
As the first stop of this Huangshan trip, and also the closest 5A-rated site to Huangshan North Station, there is a bus service from the high-speed rail station, and it's about 15 kilometers by taxi.
Ticket price: 107 (103 for online booking)
Tips: In the first quarter of 2024, every Wednesday, all scenic spots in Huangshan are free of charge, but advance reservation is required (we went on Thursday and missed the event).
Let me share my personal experience. I visited Chengkan, Hongcun, and Xidi. Chengkan is relatively less commercialized and has the fewest tourists, making it very quiet. Apart from some local elders who insist on giving explanations when entering the village, which you can directly refuse, the rest of the journey is relatively tranquil. You can take a leisurely stroll to appreciate the ancient architecture, and it takes about 2-3 hours to tour around! There's no question of whether the ticket is worth it or not. If you like historical and cultural ancient buildings and enjoy a quiet stroll, then Chengkan is definitely for you~
The specific route is to follow the path straight from the entrance of the scenic area, passing the Bagua Gate, rapeseed flower fields, Yongxing Lake, Xia Wu, Yan Ji Tang, and Baolun Pavilion (Luo Dongshu Ancestral Hall). Keep your ticket as it will be checked at several points along the way~ Pay attention to a few important scenic spots, such as Xia Wu, which we thought was closed when we passed by, but nearby residents said it was open, perhaps just unattended at the time. Yan Ji Tang is in a small alley on the side of the road and is also easy to miss, followed by the last stop at Baolun Pavilion, which is the most worthwhile to see! (Luo Dongshu Ancestral Hall is also known as 'the number one famous ancestral hall in the south of the Yangtze River')
Here are a few recommended photo spots: the buildings at the entrance, Bagua Gate, rapeseed flower fields, Yongxing Lake, the Ruins Cafe, and Luo Dongshu Ancestral Hall!
Years later, I came to Chengkan again, and I quickly recognized the original Huizhou ancient village, which was raised in a deep and unknowable village. The tourists who rubbed shoulders in the long stone alley brought popularity and changed the past. I am glad that the young people have come back more, and I am sad that the result of the commercial transformation is that the village slogan said that the most beautiful hotel bought the original public space of the village and became a private territory. The most beautiful scenery no longer belongs to the villagers, but to the paid audience. Ugh!
Passing by, I went in for a tour, and the result was very pleasant. The ancient Huizhou village in the rain is very tasteful, not losing Hongcun at all. The gossip element is also very interesting, just entering the door is gossip. E-ticket brushing the QR code is convenient.
The rainy day is very beautiful, the feeling of the misty rain in the south of the Yangtze River, the white walls and gray tiles, the small bridges and flowing water, the cloudy mountain scenery is the background, and a painting of ink landscape. The disadvantage is that the tickets are more expensive and 107 yuan.
I didn't plan to go, but I went to a place that I didn't regret. It was not as famous as Hongcun, but the scenery was beautiful, quiet, less commercial atmosphere, and the cultural charm was sufficient. It was worth a visit and slowly tasted the way of Chinese feng shui.
The misty and rainy weather is beautiful. Local and surrounding residents can buy tickets at half price. There are villagers at the door to act as tour guides. The charge is not expensive. 30 yuan will explain several houses in Chengkan essence, such as Yanyitang, and the experience is good. The real 600-year-old is only the houses in the village, and the lake in the middle has been built in the past decade.
The e-ticket is directly brushed in, very convenient, and it is four yuan cheaper. Fortunately, the people who went on May 1st were not very crowded, simple and rich, not very commercial, there was a coffee shop in the scenic area, the catering was mainly snacks that could not be too demanding, but we ate Wang Yichao~ very good. The parking lot is also cheap to outrageous and only charge ten yuan. The only drawback is that it is inconvenient to go back to get the car after the exit. It is not convenient to bring the baby to make a black tricycle (five yuan per person). It is not expensive. The baby is still very happy. As long as the safety is controlled, the black car is black. Overall, I am very satisfied and worth going again.
Drive slowly to the parking lot, watching the scenery on the road feels like you have come to a paradise; or do your homework in advance or find an explanation; slowly go shopping and eat, see the gossip sign explanation, cross the safe cut, take a picture of the lake view, touch the Huizhou architecture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties; Wine cakes are not recommended. Roche's pancakes are especially delicious when they are hot. Several dried plum cakes are more cost-effective for 5 yuan.
5A level scenic spot, a place worth visiting. We found an explanation, 100 yuan, and took us to visit 2-3 for an hour. Because with the elderly and children, I couldn't walk anymore. I asked the explanation guide to help call a sightseeing car for 5 yuan and send us back to the parking lot. This is not bad.